Minnesota trying to move smoking age to 21

Bill would also increase fines for selling to minors.

A bill in the Minnesota legislature would raise the minimum smoking age from 18 to 21. 

Only California and Hawaii have laws banning smoking until 21 in the U.S. 

The bill additionally adds to the fines for selling tobacco to young people from $75 to $250. 

Todd Mahr with the American Lung Association says regulations have to be consistent across the board

“If you’re going to do this you’re going to have to have it be little cigars, e-cigarettes and cigarettes,” Mahr said. “They’re all nicotine-deliver devices. 

“So, they all have to be treated the same to have this be fair across the board.”

It’s unknown what chance it has to pass but Mahr says that age difference makes a big difference.

“(Smoking) causes premature deaths, leads to lung cancer, it’s a gateway drug to alcohol, marijuana and other things,” Mahr said. “So we know that there’s strong evidence that moving alcohol to 21 reduces youth usage.”

Mahr says as part of the Tobacco 21 movement, more and more communities are starting to pass these rules. Edina, Minn., already has passed it.

Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, is the author of the bill.